In a stunning performance, Mark Williams beat Ronnie O’Sullivan 10-5 in the final of the Tour Championship in Manchester. Despite trailing 5-3 at one point, Williams produced two century breaks and three half-centuries on his way to claiming seven consecutive frames and securing his 26th ranking title in front of a packed crowd. Williams was awarded a £150,000 cheque for his efforts.
“I never thought I’d be winning tournaments at 49,” said Williams, who has now beaten the world’s top three players – O’Sullivan, Judd Trump and Mark Allen. “The World Championships are around the corner. He’s the man to beat, but you never know. I’ll try my best. He played like God for four frames and I was glad the interval came because there was no stopping him.”
Williams’ record against the Englishman was not in his favor, having lost 22 of his previous 24 meetings with O’Sullivan. But his success against all of the world’s top three players has earned him a second ranking title of the season, following his British Open win in October. This is his first Tour Championship victory.
O’Sullivan was unable to claim his sixth title of the season, but he will head to the Crucible for the World Championships in two weeks as the world number one, having enjoyed an uninterrupted spell of 734 days at the top of the rankings.
Earlier in the final, Williams made a strong start, leading 3-1 with three half-centuries. However, O’Sullivan found his bearings and made a series of impressive breaks to go 5-3 ahead. But it was Williams who dominated in the evening, producing an array of stunning shots in a fantastic run of play that saw him level the match and go on to claim victory with a series of breaks.
The Welshman’s performance was truly a sight to behold, and while O’Sullivan will undoubtedly feel disappointed, his accomplishment in earning a spot as world number one deserves recognition. The snooker world can now look forward to the World Championships, to be held in just two weeks’ time
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